MPAC Meeting Today

Northern Mayors are in Toronto today to meet with the Province's Deputy Finance Minister.  It's a bid to convince the government to intervene in the on-going dispute with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.  The Northern Mayors Coalition says MPAC assessments on mill properties are killing area communities.  The president of MPAC stated Friday that they would not alter the assessments and will continue to hand out bills and payment notices to northern municipalities.

Construction Work Approved

More construction work is now approved for the city. Councillors have given the green light to 2 and a half million dollars of work at the intersection of Frederica and Waterloo Streets. The contract has been awarded to Makkinga Contracting who submitted the lowest bid. 

Hospital Shows Off New MRI

The Regional Hospital is showing off its newest MRI machine.  It's unique in Canada according to imaging expert Matthew Fox who says with this new piece of equipment they can more detailed pictures of the lung. He says it will prove effective for exploring diseases like asthma and cystic fibrosis.  Fox says they hope to begin clinical trials in the near future.

Kenora MPP Not Happy With Province

 The MPP for Kenora-Rainy River is calling on the premier to address the social conditions in First Nation communities. Speaking at Queens Park, Sarah Campbell says it's unfair that these communities have to declare a state of emergency to get some attention from the government. A remote Northern First Nation declared a state of emergency last week due to recent suicides and the issue of prescription drug abuse.

Police Probe Potentially Lethal Incident

Thunder Bay Police are looking into what could have been a dangerous incident. Police say someone placed fishing line across the walking path at Boulevard Lake. Officials say the line was placed five to six feet off the ground at various locations around Boulevard.

PC's Pick Their Candidate

Tamara Johnson will be the Progressive Conservative candidate for Thunder Bay - Superior North in the next provincial election. She was acclaimed at a gathering earlier today at the Italian Hall.

Two Unions Promote Merger

 Representatives from the CAW and CEP unions are promoting their upcoming merger. CAW Spokesperson Andy Savela says its good news for Thunder Bay workers. The Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada and Canadian Auto Workers will
officially be Canada's biggest union starting Labour Day.

Kenora MPP Against Border Fee

Keep the borders free of charge. The thoughts of Kenora-Rainy River MPP Sarah Campbell, who is opposed to border fees in order to enter the United States. Campbell says this region needs a more open concept. Campbell says politicians on both sides of the border are speaking out against the border fee and she doesn't think it will pass.

Night Out Site Launched

A Thunder Bay woman is up and running a website dedicated to helping people find things to do around town. Cheryl Merlo created thunderbaynightout.com as a way for people to find events and bars around the city. The site can be found HERE.

PC's To Choose Candidate

The Progressive Conservatives in Thunder Bay-Superior North are choosing their candidate to run in the next provincial election.   Tamara Johnson will be acclaimed at a party nomination meeting  taking place at the Italian Hall on Algoma today.

Anti- Wind Farm Activists Protest

Anti wind farm activists in the city can't let an opportunity go by.  Spokesperson Irene Bond and dozens of other protesters picketed against the Big Thunder Wind Park in front of the Victoria Inn Friday as 8 cabinet ministers huddled inside for the municipal leaders conference.  The protest was spurred by an environmental victory by the company planning to build the wind turbines on the Norwester Escarpment

Horwath Takes Credit

The provincial NDP leader is accusing the Wynne government of being reactionary when it comes to the needs of Thunder Bay.  Andrea Horwath is reacting to the news that the province is going back to the table to negotiate more disaster relief funding for those affected by the May 28th flood. Horwath credits pressure by her party for the government's change of heart.

Hudak Outlines Northern Plan

Tim Hudak has an economic vision for Northern Ontario going into the next election.  In Thunder Bay today the Progressive Conservative leader outlined his plan which includes lower taxes, affordable energy and a plan for the Ring of Fire mining development.

Water Safety Warning Issued

The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is warning about water safety in the area.   The Authority says recent heavy snowfall along with expected warm temperatures will result in some fast melting.  It could in turn cause a rapid rise in water levels for rivers and streams making for potentially dangerous conditions especially for children.

T.Bay Women Get Awards

Two Thunder Bay women are on the receiving end of prestigious awards.  Nancy Chamberlain who led a program for male victims of sexual assault recently received the Ontario Victim Services Award.

Meanwhile, the Alzheimer Society's Ashleigh Quarrel just came back from Ottawa where she was presented the Governor General's Caring Canadians award.

Jeffrey Sheds More Light On Flood Relief

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Linda Jeffrey is re-affirming the Province's commitment to Thunder Bay and its flood relief.  Jeffrey announced they would help reimburse the City's four million dollars in costs under the Safe Homes Program.  She also told the Disaster Relief Committee they will continue to work with them to review their estimates of eligible flood damage claims.

NOMA Welcomes Back Canfield

The Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association is welcoming back Kenora Mayor Dave Canfield as President.  Canfield was last President in 1998 and says he looks forward to carrying NOMA's goals forward.  Canfield is taking over for O'Connor Mayor Ron Nelson.

Orazietti In T.Bay Today

Natural Resources Minister David Orazietti is one of eight provincial cabinet ministers in the city for the Northwestern Ontario Municipal leaders conference. Orazietti says since he was only recently appointed as minister today's session is part of the learning curve.  Orazietti says the will also be looking for ways the ministry can support economic development and jobs in the region.

Bear Pit Session Welcomes 8 Cabinet Ministers

Eight cabinet ministers are in the city today for the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association conference.   Northern Development Minister Michael Gravelle is among them. He says it's a chance for him to update area leaders.  Gravelle says he worked hard to get as many cabinet minister to attend as possible.

Jeffery In Town Today

Ontario's Municipal Affairs Minister meets with members of Thunder Bay's disaster relief committee today. It's Linda Jeffery's first visit to the city since it was revealed the government rules means the committee will only be getting 20 cents for every dollar raised for May 28th flood victims. Jeffery tells our newsroom, the process continues.  Jeffery hopes to get an update on the claims process.